Alchemists of Darkness

Formed in Úbeda (Jaén, Spain) in 2006, the Goth/Progressive metal act began its life as a solo project of Manuel Fuentes, eventually becoming a quintet and releasing a demo titled Laments (2008). The line-up consisting of Cristina Moreno, Isaac Salido, David Martínez, <a href="spotify:artist:60gHj47B5EvTx4vu4KmByk" data-name="Felipe Martínez">Felipe Martínez</a>, and Manuel himself, toured extensively around Andalusia for various years. While the band never really achieved any significant level of success or support, they remained a constant live act as part of the local metal scene during the early 2010s, alongside bands such as <a href="spotify:artist:6ldkZ3oUV5DkEnxg2CnCj6" data-name="Alto Consumo">Alto Consumo</a>, Death Whispers My Name or Ktxi. <a href="spotify:album:2A8sKLRTUzyjeBRvMmSlkY" data-name="The Light Ends">The Light Ends</a> (2009) single proved the quintet&#39;s sound had notably improved under production duties from Luis Alcázar (<a href="spotify:artist:6cY62ToNTOCfRlbetiBkvY" data-name="Com.pulsion">Com.pulsion</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:493PuRc7SyDFGC3r1gT0EK" data-name="HyperEgo">HyperEgo</a>), laying the ground for their only full-length studio record <a href="spotify:album:4FFwT0qYZN7ZHMdep5csJY" data-name="The Negative Frame">The Negative Frame</a> (2014). This ambitious concept album featuring growling vocals, orchestral strings, and a Wall of Sound-esque production set a departure from their earliest output and ventured the quintet into their sound&#39;s uncharted territory. David Martínez left the band shortly after the album&#39;s release and was replaced by Julia Bajo.

<a href="spotify:album:4FFwT0qYZN7ZHMdep5csJY" data-name="The Negative Frame">The Negative Frame</a> received very little promotion and the band was put on hiatus in 2015, shelving plans for a follow-up album. <a href="spotify:album:1XXy30PZLVMuRpwn3B8hjl" data-name="Frozen in Motion">Frozen in Motion</a> (2023) is the result of the quintet coming together for a one-off single, following the style of their early sound, as a farewell gift for the people who enjoyed their music.